Shoura member major general Abdullah Al-Sadoun was quoted as saying the fees would promote expats doing business in the name of Saudis and increase illegal money laundering.

Another member, Sami Zaidan, said the fees would send the wrong message to expats, while Abdullah Al-Maneef asked what investment opportunities were available to foreign workers in the kingdom if they didn’t send money home, according to the publication.

The proposal was withdrawn following the majority opposition vote.

On Sunday, the country’s finance ministry tweeted it was “committed to the principle of free movement of capital in and out of the kingdom, in line with international standards.”